Chinese movie star Jackie Chan has said that he hopes to become a "true actor" by changing his image as a world-famous action star, US media reported Saturday.

During a promotion of his latest movie "Around the World in 80 Days" in Honolulu, Hawaii, Chan said he wants to shed his action star image in favor of meatier roles that require dialogue and emotion instead of punches and kicks.

"I want to change. I want to be like Robert DeNiro. I want to be Dustin Hoffman," he said. "I don't always want it to be like the old days. ... I want to change my image. I want to become an actor who can fight - not an action star."

At 50, the martial arts master said he would probably do his own stunts for another five years. But a more serious image could provide some job security, he said.

"Even though I'm pretty good, how long can I keep fighting?" he said. "Look at Robert DeNiro. Look at Clint Eastwood. They still can act."

(People's Daily  June 14, 2004)